Looking for a few ways to save more and spend less at the grocery store? Check out these tips on what you may not necessarily need to buy and could probably skip!
One of the best ways to improve your grocery budget is simply to stop buying things that aren’t a necessity… right? But what constitutes a “necessity”?
Certainly, that’s based on personal preferences, your current lifestyle, and even where you live. However, if you’re willing to get creative and maybe do a little extra laundry or dishes, you can likely save a bunch on your grocery budget!
35 Things You May Not Need to Buy
I recently polled my Instagram community for ideas on what kinds of items are easy to skip buying to save a little extra on the grocery budget. Here are some of the most common ideas that were submitted!
Note: These are just ideas to give you inspiration for creative ways to save money. Everyone is different and it’s important to do what’s best for you and your family!
Dryer Sheets / Fabric Softener
Do without, use wool dryer balls, or use white vinegar.
Laundry Detergent
There are so many online recipes for homemade laundry soap — or you can skip detergent entirely and try laundry balls or soap nuts/berries. (Note: I’d recommend being very careful with homemade laundry soap as it has been known to hurt or cause issues with washing machines and many warranties will not honor the warranty if you need repairs and have used homemade laundry soap.)
Paper Napkins
Use a set of cloth napkins and keep them on your chairs between meals. You can usually use the same napkins for a day or two before washing. (Or just use wash cloths or hand towels!)
Paper Towels
Use old t-shirts cut into rags instead of wasting paper towels. Keep them in a separate basket so you always have them ready to go whenever a spill arises. (We haven’t bought paper towels at our house in years and it’s been super easy to go without!)
Dishwasher Detergent / Jet Dry
There are many online recipes for homemade dishwasher detergent, but one follower recommended this combo recipe:
- Squeeze 2 drops of liquid dish soap into the dishwasher dispenser and fill it the rest of the way with baking soda.
- Pour a bit of distilled vinegar into the rinse aid slot and run your dishwasher on the normal cycle.
All Cleaning Products
Vinegar and essential oils can make up most of the cleaning products you’d need around your home. They’re super easy to make yourself!
Plastic Bags / Food Wrap
Store leftovers in glass food storage containers or bowls with beeswax wrappers. You can also invest in a set of reusable zip-top bags which are great for school snacks and are washable.
Trash Bags
Use leftover grocery bags from the store. (These are great for dog waste bags, too.)
Disposable Plates / Silverware
It’s a little more hassle to wash everything, but you can save a lot by never using disposable dishes.
Feminine Hygiene Products
A reusable menstrual cup will save so much money and waste over the years. Plus, these reusable cups don’t contain toxic chemicals that are often found in regular pads and tampons.
Disposable Diapers
Use cloth diapers to save money and the environment!
Tissues
Use a few good old-fashioned handkerchiefs, or just use toilet paper.
Hand Soap
You can make your own for pennies using a few squirts of dish soap and a foaming hand soap pump. (Or check out this slightly fancier recipe that uses essential oils — still very inexpensive!)
Makeup
It’s amazing how much money people spend on cosmetics when they really aren’t necessary. Consider going make-up-free or adopting a very minimal makeup routine. It might feel strange at first, but you’ll get used to it!
Alcohol
This is a huge budget breaker at grocery stores and restaurants — just go with water!
Pop / Juice / Extra Drinks
Cut back on the soda pop and stick with water or milk — your wallet, your healthy, and your teeth will thank you!
Bottled Water
If you don’t want to drink tap water, purchase a filter for your faucet or a filtered water pitcher to store in your fridge.
Eggs
Although it’s definitely an investment up front, having your own chickens could help your grocery budget in the long run (especially if the price of eggs skyrockets like it did recently!). It’s also a great chore for small children.
Junk Food / Candy
These items really add up at the register and don’t add anything to your health. Skip them and enjoy the savings!
Snacks
Skip snacking in between meals and you’ll likely notice a big difference in your grocery bill — especially if you buy lots of pre-packaged snacks. Or try making your own snacks! (Looking for ways to save on snacks? Check out some easy ideas here!)
Ice Cream
Make it yourself or go without.
Buttermilk
Simply pour one tablespoon of distilled vinegar or lemon juice in your measuring cup, then fill the rest with regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes and you have buttermilk!
Heavy Cream
If you just need heavy cream for an ingredient (not to make whipped cream), you can substitute half whole milk and half melted butter.
Salad Dressing
Most store-bought dressings are full of sugar and preservatives. You can make your own with more quality ingredients for pennies — just Google your favorite dressing and dozens of recipes will show up. You can store them in mason jars in your fridge, so they look pretty too!
Mayonnaise
It’s surprisingly easy to make your own mayo with oil, mustard, lemon juice, and an egg. And it tastes SO fresh!
Jams / Jellies
It’s quite easy to make your own jams and jellies from fresh or frozen fruit. You can even make freezer jam so you don’t need to can/process anything with special equipment.
Salsa
A big vegetable garden always means lots of freshly canned salsa throughout the year. You could also buy veggies from a local farmer’s market.
Taco Seasoning / Spice Blends
You can save a ton of money by mixing up your own seasoning/spice blends, and they will likely taste better too. Just Google your favorite seasoning blend and you’ll find a recipe!
Flour
Buy wheat berries in bulk and grind your own flour. Of course, this involves purchasing a grain mill which can be pricey, but if this is something you’re interested in, you’ll likely save in the long run. (You can also check out this frugal hack submitted by a reader years ago to use a coffee grinder to make your own flour!)
Bread
Invest in a bread maker and you’ll make your money back in no time — plus it tastes delicious! (Or try sourdough for very little out of pocket! I’ve been on a sourdough adventure over on Instagram, if you want to follow along!)
Broth
Any time you have leftover bones or vegetable scraps, you can boil them to make your own bone broth. Store it in the freezer and use it for soups, stews, casseroles, and gravies.
Meat
Try going meatless several nights per week to save on meat costs. (Check out these 52 meatless meal ideas for some inspiration!)
You might also experiment with buying meat in bulk directly from local farmers to save over grocery store prices (and support your local farmers).
Deli Meat
Skip the high prices on processed deli meat and buy a whole ham instead. The deli counter will usually even slice it for you for free!
Cereal
Toast, eggs, or homemade muffins are typically less expensive breakfast options — unless you can get cereal at a rock bottom price.
Yogurt
Making homemade yogurt is very simple and economical — you can even do it in the slow cooker!
Check out this list for even more ideas!
amanda holly says
In training my kids to wash dishes ( family of 7 ) we were using soooo much dishsoap. I decided to switch to a spray and . I loved the sprayer on Dawn powerwash so I searched to find how to fill it. I found that I could make a close enough mix in the dawn powerwash spray and its been great . A costco sized dawn platinum lasts 9-12 months
Its 1 tsp rubbing alcohol and 3 tablespoons of dawn platinum ( its been ok with 2 tbs I just like it slightly more sudsy) and refill the rest with warm water. Shake to mix
Crystal Paine says
Oh! What a great tip! Thank you for sharing!
Nancy says
I can easily go without paper towels but what do you use for making bacon in the microwave?
Crystal Paine says
We make it in the oven!
DeDee Begeman says
Wax paper-I use the cereal bags one they are empty. I open them up and they are just like wax paper.
Crystal Paine says
That’s such a great tip!
Lisa says
I haven’t used laundry detergent in years. I use soap nut/berries. They are great. I also make my own hand soap and toothpaste using essential oils.
Crystal Paine says
Which soap nuts/berries do you use? And I’d love the links to your hand soap and toothpaste recipes!
Monique McDonald says
I have heard from many people that if you use homemade laundry soap and it breaks down your warranty company will not honor your warranty. That is fine for people who don’t buy extended warranties BUT my husband is a very big warranty person, buys extended on everything and so I know homemade laundry soap will not work for our particular family.
Crystal Paine says
Yes! I’d recommend soap nuts or laundry balls (or just getting laundry detergent on sale and using a lot less than the recommended amount — that’s what I do!), unless you are absolutely sure it won’t hurt your washing machine!
Jen says
You had me until “ice cream”…lol, to each his own
Crystal Paine says
Ha! This was a list compiled from hundreds of people. I disagree with that one, but I think it’s helpful to think through what we don’t have to buy. It’s always a good exercise, even if we decide that what works for one won’t work for us!
Angela says
I will say I have done most of these things! We didn’t buy paper towels for years but then we got a puppy and all of the messes were pretty gross with towels. So I buy them sparely for that. I also use them for oiling pans since I don’t buy spray oil. I used cloth then my other clothes would get oil on it in the washer.
We also had chickens. In the long run, with the cost of organic fed, building a coop, and caring for them/dealing with the mess if they get out of the coop…. It was about the same per dozen at the store. I just buy now from friends who sell them.
Other things I have replaced at times- deodorant, toothpaste, air fresheners/candles (I use a diffuser instead).
Jordan says
Thanks for sharing your personal experience! It is always great to get our readers’ perspectives. -Jordan, MSM Team
Crystal Paine says
I tried making my own toothpaste once. I wasn’t a big fan, but yes to no air fresheners! I love diffusers!